MCYS in Full Force Behind Tsunami Relief Efforts

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Communications
and International Relations
Division, Ministry
of Community
Development,
Youth and Sports
512 Thomson Road,
13th storey, MCYS
Building,
Singapore 298136

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Connie Lee
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MCYS in Full Force Behind Tsunami Relief Efforts

Facilitating the Community’s Response to the Disaster
The Community and Social Sector Development Division in MCYS was the main party working with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) to facilitate the relief efforts of the Non-Government Organisations.

Weekly meetings for NGOs involved were quickly established. These meetings provided a useful platform for information exchange on the various projects being planned and how the agencies can work with one another for greater effectiveness and reach.

Communication channels were enhanced with the set up of a web portal which MCYS created for the agencies. This Tsunami Connection web portal provided the NGOs with a platform to request for assistance in resources, post resources that they wish to give, and to provide updates to each other on the Tsunami-related work that they are undertaking. Mr William Yap, Deputy Director, Community and Social Section Development Division, found the work meaningful. He shared, “It was a rare opportunity for me to be directly involved in supporting the relief and reconstruction efforts. Whilst it was challenging to have to tackle new and unanticipated needs that arise almost everyday, it was a great learning experience.”

“Not everyone can go the ‘frontline’ to provide relief to the victims and their families, but everybody can play a part in supporting the relief efforts.

I was happy to witness the Singapore Inc approach that all agencies adopted in their work. Singaporeans can feel proud of themselves,” he added.MCYS staff were also deployed to the Singapore Red Cross Society, National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre and the Relief Coordination Centre to support their operations and public relations efforts.

COL Geerhan, the TNI commander in Meulaboh, RAdm Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Mr Bachtiar, the Indonesian Minister for Social Affairs, inspecting the modular building constructed by the TNI and SAF soldiers. The new building will serve as an interim headquarters for the TNI to coordinate relief efforts by the NGOs and other relief agencies operating in Meulaboh.

Above from left: COL Geerhan, the TNI commander in Meulaboh, RAdm Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Mr Bachtiar, the Indonesian Minister for Social Affairs, inspecting the modular building constructed by the TNI and SAF soldiers. The new building will serve as an interim headquarters for the TNI to coordinate relief efforts by the NGOs and other relief agencies operating in Meulaboh.

Secretariat Support for the Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee
MCYS also provided secretariat support to the Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee.

The Committee was set up to oversee and facilitate the people sector's efforts in the reconstruction phase.

The Committee is chaired by LG (Ret'd) Winston Choo, Chairman of the Singapore Red Cross, in which MCYS’ Deputy Secretary, Mr Chew Hock Yong, is a member.

An aerial photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the Tsunami in Meulaboh, Indonesia. Source: Singapore Red Cross Society.

Above: An aerial photo showing the extent of the damage caused by the Tsunami in Meulaboh, Indonesia. Source: Singapore Red Cross Society.

One of the immediate tasks of this committee is to evaluate project proposals by VWOs/NGOs which are applying to tap on the money donated to the Singapore Red Cross in aid of the Tsunami-hit countries. The Committee decides on the level of funding for each project.

Reconstruction projects in the pipeline include the building of a pier for Meulaboh, construction of schools, housing projects and schemes to teach the local communities new skills.

Kudos to MCYS staff
All in all, close to 70 MCYS staff were involved in the relief efforts in one way or another. The deployment meant a brief manpower shortage at MCYS, but other MCYS staff gamely stepped in to ensure that the Ministry’s work was not compromised.

Ms Ho Chee Har, Assistant Manager, Communications and International Relations Division, was full of appreciation for the help rendered by her colleagues. “During the two weeks that I was helping out at NVPC, my colleagues took over some of my duties without complaint. It made me realise that I have taken a lot of things for granted in the past - such as my colleagues, work and family. I have a lot to be thankful for,” she shared. »continue next page